Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has called on Belfast International Airport management to provide firm reassurance to passengers that journeys will not be adversely affected by security delays.

The South Antrim MLA said:

“Recently Belfast International Airport reported that it was expanding its security area from six to eight search lanes, but in order to carry out this expansion work it would have to temporarily reduce the number of existing lanes.

“Prior to this there has been a long standing and unacceptable pattern of security delays for passengers when travelling through the International airport. This leads to passenger frustration and anxiety over making flights.

“However, this morning queues for security were so long that passengers had to wait outside the airport in freezing conditions. As a result, a number of passengers did indeed miss their flights.

“There is now widespread uncertainty about whether Belfast International Airport security systems can guarantee passengers will be processed on time. That has implications for airport services and overall commercial reputation.

“Belfast International Airport management as a matter of urgency needs to provide firm reassurance to passengers that airport systems and services are going to function efficiently from now on, and that there will be no repeat of the chaos which occurred this morning.”